Angular emission properties of a layer of rare-earth based nanophosphors embedded in one-dimensional photonic crystal coatings

The angular properties of light emitted from rare-earth based nanophosphors embedded in optical resonators built in one-dimensional photonic crystal coatings are herein investigated. Strong directional dependence of the photoluminescence spectra is found. Abrupt angular variations of the enhancement caused by the photonic structure and the extraction power are observed, in good agreement with calculated polar emission patterns. Our results confirm that the optical cavity favors the extraction of different wavelengths at different angles and that integration of nanophosphors within photonic crystals provides control over the directional emission properties that could be put into practice in phosphorescent displays. © 2011 American Institute of Physics.We acknowledge the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation for funding provided under grants MAT2008-02166 and CONSOLIDER HOPE CSD2007-00007, to Junta de Andalucía for grants FQM3579 and FQM5247. M.E.C. acknowledges the Junta de Andalucía for funding of his contract. These results are within the scope of C’Nano IdF and were partially supported by the Région Ile-de-France. C’Nano IdF is a CNRS, CEA, MESR, and Région Ile-de-France Nanosciences Competence Center.Peer Reviewe